Back to school tomorrow

I think everyone is ready for us to get back to our regular scheduled programming. It's been a long week for all of us. I really like it when our spring break is in April, but it always follows Easter and Easter of course was super early this year.

I'm sure the girls will be starting their summer countdown soon...

If it's supposed to be spring

Why is it snowing outside?

Neuro Appts

They are both doing great. Both gained a little weight and some height.

Brennan has been seizure free for almost 2 years (October.) He's got to have a sleep deprived EEG done in July. Hopefully it will get scheduled within the next day or two. If everything looks good on the EEG and he can stay seizure free until October he'll be weaned off his meds.

Taryn has been seizure free since the weather has been cooler, Sept/Oct 07. I have no doubt that we'll have problems again with her once the weather heats up. I'm hoping to be proved wrong, but we'll just have to wait and see. Unless I see any problems between now and July we won't have to see the doctor until then.

From nothing to do, to busy busy busy

At the beginning of every month I check out the calendar and without fail always sigh that there doesn't seem to be MUCH on it besides the norm. Then within just a couple of days I start adding to the calendar for that month and keep adding and adding some more. I'm at the point now that I really can't make appts without having my calendar right in front of me because I will without a doubt double book myself.

It's the little things...

like having a washer that works...

Our washer decided to start making loud squealing noises over the weekend. I finished up my load of laundry and noticed that the tub basic is wobbly as well. Obviously something came loose and I'm really hoping that when it is checked out later this week that it's a simple fix and a new washer isn't needed.

Happy Easter!

It was actually snowing when we started the hunt.

Not totally cooperating....

Colored Eggs Anyone?

Jadyn's Spring Concert

Super cute! All the kids did a great job! They did 12 different song/dances...some all together and then some seperated between the boys and girls

Songs Included:

Footloose
Achy Breaky Heart

I Hope You Dance

All For One

YMCA

Let's Twist Again

Limbo Rock

The Charleston

We Will Rock You

3rd Grade Spring Concert

Jadyn has a big spring concert tomorrow night. She told me today that all the 3rd graders went over to the high school today to do a dress rehearsal. It supposedly took them 3 hours to get through it all. YIKES! I'm hoping tomorrow night is a little shorter than that because I know of 2 little ones that wouldn't be able to sit still THAT long.

She's both nervous and excited. We've got to get to the high school early to get good seats. I'll post some pics of course.

16 weeks

I had my 16 week appt this morning. Everything looks great. Got to hear baby's heartbeat again. It was in the low 140 range. There was a nurse going around with the dr's doing her clinicals. The nurse got to check the hb. The first thing out of the dr's mouth was "It might take a while to find what we're looking for, they can hide anywhere at this point."

Brennan's Birthday Morning....

I can't believe that Mr. B is 4 today. There are days that it seems like yesterday that I gave birth to him and then there are days that I know the previous isn't true.

Today didn't go anything like we had planned. Brennan was supposed to go to school. He was supposed to have a little party with with classmates and celebrate. We were then going to go out to lunch with some friends and play the afternoon away until it was time to pick up Jadyn and Taryn from school.

Instead the little man woke up grumpy and didn't feel well. He said his head hurt. I gave him some tylenol hoping that that would help. The headache hung on for quite awhile. He snoozed a little bit in the recliner while I got ready to face the day. Then I hear Brennan screaming: "Mommy, there's a mess!" That usually only means one thing in this house and I don't deal with vomit well at all...especially when pregnant. Got him and the chair cleaned up. Called for reinforcements since a certain little girl need to get to her 'school.' Then went about my morning like normal. LOL

Brennan ended up taking a nap for a couple of hours and woke up like the morning activities had never happened. He was asking to go to school and was actually excited that his birthday was today.

Here's to a better evening.....

Y Camp

Jadyn and Taryn had an awesome time at Y Camp last year ( we signed them up for 3 different weeks throughout the summer) that Kolin and I decided that we'd sign them up again this year. We'll probably sign them up for 4 weeks each this summer. Keeps them busy and they have an absolute awesome time.

Each week is a different theme and they have big field trips every Thursday. Last year they went to the Shedd Aquarium, Niabi Zoo and a local camp site.

I'm just waiting for the theme list to come out to sign them up. Since we don't do the whole summer we like to be able to go over the list with the girls and pick out themes that are the most exciting and fun, but give them new experiences. They have early bird sign up as well and if you sign up during that time you get a cheaper rate. (That's always a great thing!!!!)

Brennan's 4th Birthday Party

Family Movie Day

We checked out an early show of Horton Hears A Who today and loved it! We were all laughing throughout the movie. The sour kangaroo left a lot to be desired though.

Crazy Fevers

I had to pick up Taryn from school yesterday due to a 103.5 fever. ICK! She pretty much slept the rest of the day and night away. Kolin is calling her his own little Easy Bake Oven. I'm hoping that she'll be feeling better quickly as we've got a super busy weekend (Brennan's birthday party is a big part) planned.

Wanna Play?

I hear this multiple time throughout the day. Karis will grab some toy or decide she wants to play a game.....then it's Wanna Play? Wanna Play? Wanna Play? How can you say no? She's a night owl to boot, so after the older 3 are in bed she starts in on her daddy.......

Offically 30....

Doesn't feel too bad. Had anyone asked me 10 years, heck even 5 years ago how I would feel about turning thirty I probably would have been freaked out. Now that it has actually happened, it doesn't bother me one bit...okay maybe Taryn continually singing around the house: "Mommy is 30, Mommy is 30, Mommy is 30" stings just a little.

OOPS!

I told Jadyn and Taryn they didn't need to take their snow boots to school today. No snow on the sidewalks and barely anything left on the grass. No snow in the forecast. I looked out the window and it's snowing.....

The girls have asked if we would have snow on Easter. I told them I wasn't sure, but hopefully not. Now I'm not so sure...we just might be doing our egg hunt inside.

Crispy Baked Ravioli

Crispy Baked Ravioli

1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 package refrigerated cheese filled ravioli (9 ounce)
3/4 cup pasta sauce warmed.

Heat oven to 375F and combine bread crumbs and cheese in a medium bowl. Combine sour cream and milk in a small bowl and dip ravioli in sour cream mixture, then in bread crumb mixture to coat evenly. Place ravioli on non stick baking sheet and bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until ravioli are crisp and lightly browned. Serve immediately with pasta sauce.

A new baby nephew

My brother had his first baby on the 6th. I'm soooooo excited for him.

Isn't Kailen a handsome little man?

Comforting Smothered Chicken

This recipe gets 6 stars! EVERYONE eats it and wants seconds!

Comforting Smothered Chicken

1 1/2lbs chicken tenderloins
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
3- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth, low sodium

Season flour with salt and pepper and mix well. Coat chicken completely with the seasoned flour. Heat oil in heavy skillet. Add chicken and brown on each side (about 3 minutes per side). Remove and set aside. Add sliced onions to the pan drippings and cook for 1 minute. Add remaining flour continue to stir until onions and flour begin to brown. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, stir until incorporated and return chicken to the gravy, cover skillet, reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until gravy is thick and chicken is tender.

We put it over rice and there are no leftovers.

Her Job

Me: Karis, let's get your clothes on.
Karis: No
Me: We've got some things to do before picking up your sisters. Let's get dressed.
Karis: No
Me: Why do you need to argue and do the opposite of what I need you to do?
Karis: Job.....

She's a little firecracker.

Expecting a phone call that won't come

Today is my grandma's birthday. She would have been 73 this year. Without fail every year it would be a race to see which one of us would call the other first since our birthdays are only 2 days apart. We knew that no matter what was going on the phone was going to ring at some point and we could wish the other Happy Birthday!

I know there are other ways I can still talk to her, but what I wouldn't give to actually be able to hear her voice.

Wisconsin Signs

While on our trek this morning Jadyn noticed a bunch of signs for Wisconsin. She made sure to tell me that Aunt Mary, Uncle Kevin, Abby, Mikey and Joey all live in Wisconsin.

For quite a while I heard: "Mom, if you follow that sign we can go visit"

I had to keep reminding her that we were missing her dad and siblings and she had a tournament to go too.

Bowling Tournament Today

Jadyn and I got up bright and early this morning to make sure we got to the suburbs and her bowling tournament on time. I only had to turn around and go the opposite direction a couple of times...ok maybe a few. =) We got there and that's all that matters in the long run.

Jadyn psychs herself out in the beginning of every tournament that she's in. By the 3rd or 4th frame she's in tears EVERY time. She did good and once she relaxed she seemed to actually enjoy herself. The group bowling was a rather small one and Jadyn seemed to be the only girl in her division. This means that she should automatically qualify for the finals in May (could mean scholarship money if she does well.) Bowling today was just a technicality. If I remember to call tomorrow I should be able to call our bowling alley and get the results.